Efficacy evaluation of selenium-enriched bitter melon extract (SR-931) in improving STZ-induced type 2 diabetes

摘要

Diabetes mellitus is a globally prevalent chronic metabolic disorder primarily caused by the dysfunction of the pancreas. This results in insufficient insulin secretion or the poor action of insulin on the surrounding muscles or tissues, leading to abnormal metabolism of nutrients as well as excessive glucose levels in the blood. Hyperglycemia can cause many life-threatening complications, such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Although many synthetic chemical drugs have been clinically developed, there are still no molecules that can completely cure diabetes. Moreover, the long-term use of synthetic antidiabetics can cause serious side effects. Therefore, the development of effective and side effect-free antidiabetic drugs is urgently required. Selenium is an essential trace element in the human body and as such, daily supplementation allows for the synthesis of at least 26 types of selenoproteins, which possess antioxidative effects and help regulate body metabolism. Many studies have shown that selenium can prevent or treat a variety of major diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia Linn. var. abbreviata Seinge) has been used in folk medicine to treat diabetes. Phytochemicals contained in this plant such as peptides, momordicosides, momordin, and charantin, have been proven to have hypoglycemic effects. Using an animal model of STZ-induced hyperglycemia, we showed here that administration of a selenium-enriched bitter melon extract (SR-931) for 4 consecutive weeks had a positive effect on the stability of fasting blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance. These results indicate that SR-931 has strong therapeutic potential for regulating diabetes.